What tile to choose for the bathroom?

Due to high humidity, a bathroom is considered quite difficult in terms of interior design, for which it is not easy to choose finishing materials. Fortunately, almost all types of tiles are suitable for this room.

What tile to choose for the bathroom? When choosing, you should pay attention to some important parameters and characteristics that will provide the greatest possible comfort in the room, in addition, it will be easier to maintain cleanliness.

It is necessary to choose not only the type, but also the format correctly. To do this, you need to know which tile to choose in a small bathroom, and which one in a large one. In addition, it is worth knowing about fashion trends in interior design in order to equip the bathroom not only functionally and practically, but also beautifully and stylishly.

Which tile to choose in the bathroom - parameters and properties

In order to choose the right tile for the bathroom, you should select it not only for aesthetic qualities, but also for important technical characteristics and. We list the main ones below.

• Floor protection against abrasion. There are 5 classes dividing tiles according to abrasion resistance. In bathrooms where we do not wear shoes, tiles can be placed on the floor that have abrasion class 3 (from 750 to 1500 revolutions). This class is enough to ensure the durability of the floor and a good appearance for years to come. Remember that before you start laying, you need to waterproof the floor, which will protect the tiles from damage that standing water can cause.
• Resistance to household chemicals. The bathroom is a space that requires periodic cleaning and disinfection, so strong chemicals are often used here. When choosing which tiles to choose for the bathroom, you should consider options that are resistant to detergents and disinfection liquids. In this case, the surface will not lose its color and structure as a result of frequent cleaning.
• Non-slip. What tile to choose for the floor in the bathroom? Of course, a very important feature of a bathroom floor is its slip resistance. The surface of the tile should not be rough, but it certainly cannot be slippery - so it is best to avoid a glossy surface, as in combination with water and moisture it will become dangerous. slipperiness differs in classes from R9 to R13, for the bathroom it is better to choose the highest class R13.
• Moisture resistance. There are three groups of tile moisture resistance. Group 1 is the most moisture resistant, and group 3 is absolutely not moisture resistant, so it is not suitable for bathrooms.

All these parameters are indicated on the packaging, knowing the meaning of the symbols, you can easily check the compliance of the selected product with the necessary criteria.

Of course, the technical parameters that we mentioned above are very important, but the decorative function of this finishing material should not be overlooked. Well-chosen and coordinated with the style of the interior, tiles can create a truly stunning effect that will turn even an ordinary bathroom into a luxurious spa!

What color tiles to choose for the bathroom? Traditionally, light wall finishes are recommended for small bathrooms, which visually expand and decorate the interior, but recently designers have proposed a departure from this rule. Walls in dark or bright colors can detract from the small size of the interior, turning into a fashionable bauble, while the room resembles a luxurious jewelry box!

Do not forget about unusual solutions: mosaics, patchwork, decors with an interesting theme, 3D textured surfaces, trendy ones that will help to add a very desirable variety to the interior without taking up precious space.

Glossy, matte or 3D effect?

Did you know that the first ceramic tiles appeared in Europe as early as the eleventh century? In the beginning, they were used for finishing furnaces. It is interesting to note that the clay elements made on the potter's wheel were concave. In the fifteenth century, flat slabs appeared. The most decorative examples were decorated with hunting scenes or complex floral ornaments.

Over the years, ceramics have become more and more fancy and durable. Today, high-quality models of this finishing material can surprise with a variety of sizes, richness of color and stylish design. Sometimes they have a stylish sheen, sometimes they surprise with a spectacular matte surface or tempt with a trendy 3D effect. For those who are lost in a sea of ​​design choices, we have prepared a quick guide on how to choose bathroom tiles that will add style and character to your interior.

Imagine a bright interior with a delicate, shiny surface. Gentle reflections will visually make the space larger than it actually is. This unique effect can be achieved with gloss tiles. It is suitable, first of all, in a small interior, which should be full of light. Shiny tile surfaces should have patterns in a minimalist style. There is no place for intricate floral motifs or extravagant decorations. No wonder designers create sparkling collections in a balanced color palette.

The design in light colors in the origami style brings freshness and harmony to the interior. This would be a good tile choice for a small bathroom in Scandinavian, minimalist and oriental style.

An interesting solution would be a melange wall in beige, gray and classic black and white. These collections are perfect for both contemporary spaces and rustic-style bathrooms. Thanks to them, the interior will become cozy, while shimmering multi-colored inserts, mosaics and decors will give dynamics to the space.

The glossy surface helps to visually enlarge the interior and complement it with light. Ceramic tiles with a matt finish are the essence of modern elegance. Matte walls, which are decorated in soft colors, bring comfort to the interior and at the same time make it noble. It is worth experimenting with matte surfaces only in large rooms that do not need to be optically enlarged.

A ceramic surface designed in neutral tones can look very similar to fabrics. Thanks to this, the walls seem to be finished with soft material, and the interior is immersed in comfort. This design will be an ideal choice for both modern interiors and bathrooms in eco or retro style.

The amazing neighborhood of monochrome tiles and elements with a kaleidoscopic pattern will be the highlight of a modern interior. Geometric motifs add dynamism. A matte ceramic wall will be an amazing decoration in modern spaces. Today, cement tiles play the main roles, the monotonous surface of which will be diluted with energy components crowned with an abstract pattern. Such design options are suitable for interiors in loft style, in industrial style, in high-tech style. Against the background of a matte wall, steel, copper and chrome accessories will look beautiful.

Recently, 3D effects are increasingly appearing on the walls. Thanks to them, the bathroom takes on a completely new intriguing look. The bulging compositions form an amazing three-dimensional mosaic on the walls, which gives depth to the room and helps it appear visually larger. Of great importance here is the play of light and shadows, emphasizing the patterns of individual structures. 3D tiles are ideal for both large and small spaces. In a large bathroom, they will become the main decoration, and in a small one they will add lightness and visually expand the space.

3D patterns can be inspired by the picturesque natural world. Leaf-like geometric shapes appear on delicate white tiles. The basis for the three-dimensional elements are muted graphite tiles. Such collections are suitable even for complex styles, such as provence or shabby chic.

Collections of tiles with 3D patterns will work well in minimalist interiors. They may resemble the surface of a lake with soft ripples caused by a light breeze. This is the perfect choice for those who love artful light arrangements.

Against such a background plumbing fixtures, taps and faucets in fashionable colors of copper and bronze, as well as decorative elements of the interior, will look chic.

Arranging a small bathroom is a challenge even for an experienced designer. Since a space of several meters should be not only practical, but also stylish, here you should carefully choose not only furniture and plumbing, but also wall and floor decoration elements.

What size of tiles to choose for a small bathroom or a narrow bathroom, what color is best, let's deal with these issues.

When creating a functional bathroom space, modern ergonomic devices will help, and for an optical enlargement of the interior, the right tile for a small bathroom will be a good help. There are several proven ways to make a small room look more spacious. Let's consider them.

Large and light tiles

There are several myths about choosing bathroom tiles. For example, it is often said that in a small bathroom it is better to choose small tiles. But it's not! Large formats form a single, solid surface that will make a small bathroom seem visually larger. The color of the tiles should be light - snow-white tonality, ivory, beige and subtle shades of gray are ideal for small rooms. Of course, you should not completely abandon the colored elements. Colorful mosaics, decorations or contrasting elements can be placed, for example, on a washbasin, on a bathtub or shower enclosure, on a niche in the wall.

What to choose tiles for the bathroom - photodesign with large format tiles

For those who like small format tiles, grout for tiles in the bathroom will become an important element, which grout to choose is a very important issue. By choosing the grout to match the color of the tile, you can prevent the walls from dividing into small pieces.

What tile grout to choose in the bath? In a small bathroom there should not be any clear color divisions, the tiles should visually represent a single surface. The ceiling and walls painted in the same color will give the interior a spacious feel.

A new fashion trend is the illumination of tile joints, which allows you to achieve interesting effects and create a unique atmosphere. If previously such effects were achieved using or LED strips, today we have new solutions. Decorative lighting can be arranged thanks to the use of moisture-resistant optical fiber. Optical fibers do not conduct electricity, so they are safe. In-seam fiber optic lighting can be installed in the bathroom, creating truly unique decorative designs that can completely change the atmosphere of the interior.

How to lay tiles: horizontally or vertically?

In a light or snow-white bathroom, a black and white floor, with tiles located diagonally, will look beautiful. Such a composition will increase the interior optically. This classic concept will appeal primarily to those who dream of an elegant bathroom setting with a trendy hint of retro or art deco.

Glossy tiles

As noted above, glossy tiles on the walls are a good solution for a small bathroom, while such tiles on the floor should be avoided for safety reasons, as they are very slippery. This solution will make the room much brighter and visually larger. Polished and glazed tiles can be placed on the walls. For those who love extravagant solutions, tiles with a gold or silver texture are suitable.

Interesting solutions for a small bathroom can also be:

• modern lighting with LEDs;
• thin glass furniture;
• large mirrors.

The right choice of tiles for the bathroom will create the basis and the perfect background, optically enlarging the interior, while it can also be its main decoration.